SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Parents are raising concerns about a change in the out-of-state travel policy for students at Seminole County Public Schools.
Earlier this month, the district rejected a request for the Oviedo High School girls volleyball team to travel to Hawaii for a tournament in September. The team was the FHSAA Class 6A state champions in 2025.
Glen Mehring’s daughter is a junior and said her team has received very few details about why the travel request was denied.
“The one reason we were given is due to budgetary constraints,” Mehring said. “Going forward in the 2027 school year, they will not be approving any out-of-state travel.”
Tara Sloane’s daughter is also a junior on the team, and she said the players have fundraised the money needed to travel, so the tournament should come at no cost to the school or district.
“This is a field trip that the volleyball program is paying for entirely. There’s no financial impact to the district at all,” Sloane said.
The decision to deny the tournament has parents questioning if the district has made a change in policy to no longer allow out-of-state travel, which would have widespread implications.
“It’s got a pretty big impact on the entire county. This would affect clubs. It would affect sports,” Sloane said. “The exposure that they get at these tournaments for recruiting is a big deal.”
In response to a News 6 request, Communications Officer Katherine Crnkovich released the following statement:
“Seminole County Public schools is facing significant budget challenges, similar to those of other districts across Florida, driven by declining enrollment, lower birth rate rates and reductions in funding. Our top priority remains serving students with excellence and keeping our schools open.
As we navigate these financial pressures, we recognize that careful choices will be required. Each decision is being approached thoughtfully, and with a clear focus on the long-term sustainability of our district. Out-of-state travel and activities for students and staff will undergo a thorough review and consideration to ensure responsible use of resources while still supporting meaningful opportunities for a robust and enriching educational experience."
Parents said they plan to voice their concerns at Tuesday’s school board meeting, which is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at 400 E. Lake Mary Blvd.